Birmingham Residents Face Ongoing Flooding Challenges
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Residents of the Oxmoor community are once again voicing their frustrations regarding persistent flooding issues that have plagued their neighborhood for over two decades. The problems began following the construction of a subdivision that was built above their homes, leading to significant water drainage issues, particularly during heavy rainfall.
Community Voices
Local resident Gwen Lewis, who lives on Ostlin Street at the base of Pretoria Street, shared her plight. “Every time it rains real, real bad, it comes into my house,” Lewis commented, highlighting the struggles she faces with each storm. She described how her driveway quickly transforms into a river, making it difficult to manage the standing water.
Another resident, Josephine Williams, initially brought attention to the flooding problem. Williams displayed the aftermath of the water damage at her home: “You don’t know if your house is going to flood,” she said, pointing out the rust on her front door and the warped wooden ties she has placed to block water intrusion. “That’s a chance you have to take,” she explained, summing up the uncertainty that many in the community face.
Property Damage and Legal Actions
Residents have reported extensive damages, including deteriorating garage doors and soggy baseboards in the basement, which only adds to their growing frustration. “It just pitiful. We can’t keep up with this,” expressed Williams, who feels let down by the lack of response from both the city and the developer responsible for the subdivision.
In an effort to seek justice, neighbors filed a lawsuit against the city of Birmingham and the developers back in 2016. They described the impact of the flooding not only in terms of property damage but also cited mental distress and health issues stemming from their living conditions. “You just left us hanging,” Williams said, voicing the community’s disappointment. “That don’t seem normal. It seem like they covering something.”
Residents point to inadequate drainage as a significant contributor to the flooding. They argue that not only is the drainage improperly situated, but it also fails to handle the volume of water effectively, with drains located only on the opposite side of the street. “I hope they will come out here and put some drains and curbs and do what is right to these people,” Williams added. “We’ve suffered long enough. That’s not fair.”
Recent Developments
On September 5, a court ruling favored Williams, who was awarded $180,000 plus court fees for her persistent advocacy. Williams was the only resident to consistently attend the court hearings, while the defendants, including the city and developer, did not show up. Unfortunately, attempts to reach the city or developer for comments on the lawsuit and flooding situation did not receive a response in time for publication.
Looking Ahead
As the rains continue to hit Birmingham, residents remain hopeful for a solution to the drainage problems that have caused them years of stress and damage to their homes. The community’s resilience shines through their efforts to address these issues, as they continue to call for increased action and accountability from their local government and the developers who constructed the subdivision.
While the challenges are significant, the residents of Oxmoor stand united in their quest for a safer and drier community.
